Sports
FCT Badminton Impresses at National Sports Festival as Bappa Mohammed Boosts Grassroots Pla
Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of the Badminton Association in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Bappa Mohammed, has pledged to intensify efforts toward the growth of badminton in the territory through grassroots-focused tournaments and youth engagement initiatives.
He made this commitment during the medal presentation ceremony at the ongoing 2024 National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Team FCT secured medals in both badminton and para-badminton events.
Mr. Mohammed acknowledged that despite the late start in preparation, the FCT athletes still managed to win medals, including a bronze in mixed doubles and a gold in the para-badminton category.
“We are expecting to double our medal tally after this festival,” he stated. “We started preparations a bit late, and that affected our performance.
However, we’ve discovered new talents through this competition. In FCT, we’ve been organizing several programs to take children off the streets and engage them in badminton. We’ve already launched initiatives across the six area councils.”
He emphasized that although preparations were already underway before the festival, the event temporarily slowed their momentum.
“Immediately after the festival, we’ll scale up activities. By next week, we’re set to begin the Area Council Games. We also plan to upgrade our facilities and acquire new equipment to enhance the look and feel of our badminton arenas.”
Mr. Mohammed highlighted FCT’s history of producing high-quality badminton players and expressed optimism about the next generation.
“Since I took over the leadership of the association, we’ve identified gaps and started implementing innovative strategies to reposition badminton in the FCT. There has been significant improvement, and we’re committed to sustaining that progress.”
He also pointed out some logistical challenges faced during the festival, particularly in terms of athlete accommodation.
“This festival is about showcasing talent, especially among young athletes. But when players do not get enough rest due to poor accommodation logistics, it affects their performance. In some cases, athletes were housed up to two hours away from the venue.”
Mr. Mohammed reaffirmed his commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring FCT badminton continues to thrive at both grassroots and competitive levels.
Sports
LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Salifu Usman Receives SWAN Fellowship In Recognition Of Sports Development Efforts
Salifu Abubakar Usman, Group Sports Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, has been honoured with the Fellow of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) award, in recognition of his exceptional support for the association, professional journalism, and his significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
The esteemed accolade was presented during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, held in Abuja, marking 60 years of excellence in sports journalism across the nation.
Upon receiving the award, Salifu expressed profound gratitude, describing the honour as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to further his lifelong dedication to sports reporting, promotion, and growth.
“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration for me and my family, and I believe it will encourage me further in sports reporting and sports development in Nigeria,” he stated.
Salifu highlighted that this recognition serves as a morale boost following decades of hard work and impactful contributions within Nigeria’s sports community and beyond.
The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration attracted prominent figures from sports administration, the media, and government sectors to celebrate individuals and organisations whose efforts have significantly advanced sports development and journalism in Nigeria.
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